U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- It’s not likely you’ll find someone who knows even a little about firearms who hasn’t heard the name Hi-Point. It’s also very likely they’ll have something negative to say about them despite never having owned or shot one. I enjoy firearms literacy and feel that understanding a firearm’s intent and design is an important part of being able to properly experience them. It seems a shockingly-high percentage of the shooting community are illiterate when it comes to Hi-Point pistols so let’s take a closer look.
While it is easy to admire the latest $3,000 custom piece, many seem to have missed the intent of Hi-Point; to create a quality firearm that anyone can afford. Taking into account where most violent crimes occur this is a very noble cause. Who do you think it more likely to suddenly need a pistol for home defense, the six-figure executive or the inner-city single mother with an aggressive “baby daddy”? Hi-Points are priced at a point where most anyone could afford to pick one up on their way home without needing to budget for it. Better yet that firearm is backed by a warranty that has even accepted a carbine needing to be barreled after an unknowing owner got a few-dozen slugs stuck in it.
Whenever I post about Hi-Points the trolls inevitably come out and begin to trash talk them. As we all know trolls tend to be the most ignorant about any subject they so obnoxiously post about, so let’s give them some fodder. The two comments I hear the most are that Hi-Points are ugly and “trash”; more useful as a hammer than a pistol. Aesthetics is a personal opinion that requires no fact so we can let that part slide. Reliability and function however must be fact based.
Let’s give the trolls something fodder. Watch the range review video below:
As you saw the C9 only had issues cycling a rather obscure 100gr frangible load. With all other loads from 90gr to 158gr including hollow points, flat-points, and FMJ, steel-cased, aluminum-cased, and traditional brass all ran. Accuracy was impressive thanks to the fixed barrel of this blow-back-operated handgun. While on the topic of blow-back operation, that system is responsible in part for the affordability of the C9, and also the aesthetics.
Blow-back operation does not have a locked breech. Instead it is the mass of the slide or bolt combined with strength of the operating spring that keep the chamber closed until pressure has dropped off to a safe level. This requires either a lot of mass in the slide/bolt or a strong spring. To keep the pistol operable by the average shooter Hi-Point kept the recoil spring softer and instead increased slide mass. That is why Hi-Points are shaped the way they are.
To get a better look at the construction and design of the Hi-Point C9 see the tabletop video below.
I hope between these two videos the point of Hi-Point has been made clear, and although it’s a sample size of one, the C9 tested proved more reliable and more accurate than a few other pistols we’ve tested that cost hundreds of dollar more. If that’s got your interest in trying one of these incredibly-affordable pieces the specifications and features below were taken directly from the product web page.
- Barrel length:Â 3.5″
- Overall length:Â 6.75″
- Weight:Â 29 oz.
- Frame:Â High-impact polymer
- Finish:Â Black powder coat or hydro-dipped depending on model
- Capacity:Â 8-shot mag standard (10-shot avail)
- Sights:Â 3-dots, fully-adjustable rear sight
- +P rated
- High-impact polymer frame
- High-impact grips
- Durable, attractive easy-grip finish
- 3-dot, fully adjustable sights
- Free extra rear peep sight
- Last round lock open
- Magazine disconnect safety
- Quick on-off thumb safety
- Operations & safety sheet
- Lifetime warranty
About Graham Baates
“Graham Baates” is a pen name used by a 15-year active Army veteran who spent most of his time in the tactical side of the Intelligence community including tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Post-Army Graham spent some time in the local 3-Gun circuit before becoming a full-time NRA Certified defensive handgun instructor and now works as an industry writer while curating a YouTube channel on the side. Visit Graham on Youtube .
I own a c-9 and use it as a truck gun. I own other guns that run better, but the Hi point shoots great! The trigger is my only complaint. The gun is die hard and will run after abuse and neglect.
I live in Montana and owned a High Point for about 10 years. In 10 years we probably shot 1000 rounds through it. In 10 years it was never cleaned. In 10 years it spent all of its life under the seat of our truck. In 10 years it went through three boys learning to shoot. The gun has been dropped in the snow and in the dirt. In 10 years it has always shot a full clip through it. I have some very expensive guns in the gun case that are treated like royalty, and those guns have jammed… Read more »
I agree that the Hi-Point pistol does fill a niche, just like the Ford Pinto, 75% lean ground beef, and dollar store hammers. Maybe that’s a little harsh, but there’s definitely a confidence gap that is associated with budget pistol, and it’s offered earned. There thing I always am surprised by, though, is there the contrast in popularity between the C9 and the pistol-caliber carbines Hi-Point (used to?) sell.
I own one and it is a piece of crap! Should be called high point jamomatic. I have never been able to shoot a full clip through it.
I was range qualifying with a Taurus pt-92. Wasn’t satisfied with what was going down range.switched to my Hi- Point 45.Was hitting nothing but center for the rest of qualifying.Also, I always wondered why the high dollar pieces never come with life time warranty?just picked up my new Canek 9mm ,Series one pistol today, with a life time warranty..!hint hint Kimber, Colt,Smith Wesson.not saying their bad firearms, just for 3 times the price,,,,,,come on.
A Hi-Point is better than nothing. Most other guns are better than a Hi-Point.
The people who say that Hi-Points are useless are wrong, but there’s also a reason that they cost $199. They aren’t as good as most more expensive guns. If you desperately need a gun and can’t afford anything better, a Hi-Point beats a Jimenez or most other low end pistols like that. But I’d take my Glock over a Hi-Point any day.